This water jar from around 500BC shows a 'fountain-house'. Women came here to fill jars with water to carry home on their heads.

Ancient Greek homes were built around a courtyard or garden. The walls were often made from wood and mud bricks. They had small windows with no glass, but wooden shutters to keep out the hot sun.

They didn't have much furniture inside. People sat on wooden chairs or stools. Rich people decorated the walls and floors with colourful tiles and paintings.

Many homes didn’t have a bathroom. There were public baths, but most people washed using a small bucket or in a nearby stream. Only rich women (with slaves to carry the water) enjoyed baths at home. Afterwards they rubbed their bodies with perfumed oil to keep their skin soft.

At night, Greeks slept on beds stuffed with wool, feathers or dry grass. Most people went to bed as soon as it got dark. The only light came from flickering oil lamps and candles.

3. Meet an ancient Greek family

Click on the family below to find out a bit about their life

Men

Ancient Greece was a man's world. Men were in charge of the family and the home. A woman could not even leave the house without her husband's permission.

In wealthy homes, men were served food and entertained by slaves, while the women and children ate in another room.

Men would have to go out and earn a living. They could work in the army, politics, construction and trade, but most Greek men worked on farms growing and harvesting crops.

I'm Laches, the wine-seller. I'm also a hoplite, a soldier of Athens just like every citizen my age. I'm pretty handy with a spear.

In peace-time, I send jars of our delicious wine all over Greece. The wax seal on every jar is stamped with an owl – the symbol of our goddess Athena.

Today, I've been down to Pireus, the port, to see my precious jars of wine loaded aboard the ship. Can you believe, the slaves dropped one? Idiots! I wanted the captain to have them whipped. But he said they were good rowers and didn't want them punished.

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Women

Most Greek women didn't have a lot of freedom.

Married women had to stay at home. They spent their time spinning thread and weaving cloth. They also looked after the children and prepared food.

Rich women were only allowed to leave the house if they were accompanied by a slave or a male companion. Only poor women went out alone. They went shopping, fetched water and did the family washing in a stream.

I'm Delia, wife of Laches. I mostly stay home to do my weaving. I'm making a himation.

Doris, our slave, helps with my weaving but mainly goes shopping and takes my son to his lessons. Laches won Doris as a prize after the war. She's not a brilliant cook, but she's good with the children.

It's Athena's feast day today, so we're all eating together. Normally, Laches eats with his friends instead of his family.

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Boys

Many Greek parents wanted to have a son because they could look after them in old age.

Boys went to school at age seven. But teachers cost money, so poor boys didn't get much of an education.

Most boys had to work hard as farmers, sailors, fishermen and craft workers. Children played with balls made from tied-up rags or a blown-up pig's bladder. The ankle-bones of sheep or goats were used in a game called 'knucklebones'.

Hi, I'm Pheidias. When I'm older I'm going to be a soldier! I practise throwing spears and I'm a fast runner too.

Maybe I'll be a messenger, like Pheidippides. He ran all the way back from the battle of Marathon to deliver the message that we had beaten the Persians.

On week days Doris, our slave, takes me to my tutor where I learn poetry by heart. But I'd rather be playing a game of knucklebones with my friends. I always win. I can catch all five bones on the back of one hand!

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Girls

Most girls were between 13 and 16 years old when they married. Often their fathers chose husbands for them.

A girl's husband was usually older than she was, sometimes in his 30s. The day before she married, a girl sacrificed her toys to the goddess Artemis, to show she was now a grown-up. Girls might have played with small pottery figures and dolls made of rags.

Girls didn't go to school. They were taught housework and cooking at home by their mothers.

My name is Helana and I'm almost eight years old. My brother goes to see a tutor everyday but I stay at home with my mother.

I can read and write a little bit: not many girls can do that! Mainly mother teaches me how to cook, weave clothing and look after the home.

My mother says I need to learn all of these skills so I can be a good wife. But that won't be for ages. Most girls don't get married until they are at least thirteen!

But it's not all work, I also like playing with my toys. Our slave Doris made me a doll from wax and clay that has moving arms and legs!

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Slaves

Owning slaves was considered a normal thing in ancient Greece, but only rich people could afford them.

Slaves could be men or women. Male slaves worked as gardeners and took care of the horses. Women worked as nannies, cooks and cleaners.

Slaves who lived with rich families were treated well, so didn’t run away. But slaves who worked on farms, down mines or on trading ships were often treated badly.

They call me Doris, but it's not my name. It just means 'someone from Doris'. I was a girl when Athenian soldiers invaded my city. Suddenly, I was a slave!

I cook. I clean. I fix the bits of weaving Delia gets wrong and take young Pheidias to the gymnasium.

But it's not a bad life. I get plenty to eat, I love nursing the baby, and unlike Delia, I'm not stuck in the house all day. When I go to the market, I see Athena's white temple on its high rock. I pray to the gods that one day I will get to see my family again.

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